Do Raised Beds Attract Termites? Avoid this!

Raised beds attract termites avoid showing a well-managed vegetable growing space for maximum seasonal yield

Raised beds do attracts termites and cause termite infestation. However, said infestation is heavily dependent on several conditions, such as the wood you used, the moisture levels of the raised bed itself as well as the general area of your garden, and the placement of the gardening bed.

How to Rotate Crops in Raised Beds

Rotate crops raised beds showing a well-managed vegetable growing space for maximum seasonal yield

Rotating your crops in a raised bed involves organization and refraining from planting a given family of plants in the same area each year. Soil is rested as different nutrients are utilized depending on the plants being grown. It also helps microbe diversity.

How To Stake a Raised Garden Bed in 11 Steps

Stake raised garden bed steps showing a well-managed vegetable growing space for maximum seasonal yield

Staking a raised garden bed involves driving stakes into the corners of the bed to keep the box secure.  The stakes support the raised garden bedsides and help keep the garden bed from slipping, which is important if you install it with an incline.

Soil Selection: The Missing Piece to a Beautiful Garden

Garden soil top soil — healthy soil foundation for vegetable growing at simplifygardening.com

The main difference between potting soil, topsoil, and garden soil is that it’s been specifically formulated for use in containers. Topsoil is usually processed to become finer to make it perfect for raised beds and seeds. Finally, garden soil is topsoil that has been enriched to make it optimal for plant growth.

How to Grow Strawberries at Home

Grow strawberries home — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

A comprehensive guide on how to grow strawberries at home, including tips on choosing the right variety of strawberry plant, planting and caring for them, and ensuring a bountiful harvest. The article also covers the three main categories of strawberry plants, including day-neutral, June-bearing, and everbearing.

Potting Mix vs Soil: Which is Better for Your Plants?

Garden soil showing potting soil potting mix — soil preparation guide at simplifygardening.com

There is a difference between potting soil and potting mix, even though these two terms are used interchangeably. Potting mix is a strictly soilless medium, whereas potting soil may or may not have soil. Because it does not include soil, it cannot harbor fungus or other diseases; for this reason, potting mix is safer for plants.

How Long Do Parsnips Take To Grow At Home

Long parsnips take grow home — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Parsnips require similar care to their sister carrots, including deep, sandy loam oil. Their quality improves when harvested after a hard, killing frost. This same process of starch to sugar conversion caused by frost can be achieved if roots are refrigerated for a month before being consumed.

Simplify Gardening Acquires Greenthumbwhiteapron.com

Tony his 67lb cabbage in the kitchen garden — practical vegetable growing from simplifygardening.com

I am pleased to announce that Simplify Gardening has acquired the very informative gardening website Greenthumbwhiteapron.com. For most of us, our gardens express our intimate relationship with nature, a relationship marked by continued discovery, awestruck respect, and deep appreciation. Gardening is my passion and allows me to lose myself in the garden. It can improve your mental … Read more

Growing Eggplants 10 Crazy Facts You Didn’t Know

Growing eggplants crazy facts you didnt know — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Eggplant, Solanum melongena, is a popular daylight-neutral vegetable grown in the tropics and subtropics. Called aubergine in Europe and brinjal in India, eggplant is a warm-season crop that doesn’t tolerate frost and requires a long growing season.

How Do You Know When to Harvest Elephant Garlic?

You know harvest elephant garlic growing in the vegetable garden at the correct stage for care or harvest

Harvest garlic when most of the leaves on have turned yellowish-brown and begin to flop over. Going by the standard guidelines, elephant garlic is usually planted in early fall and ready to pick between May and July the following year. For fall-planted garlic, this time is enough to split into cloves. However, spring-planted elephant garlic can be harvested after 90 days but will most likely be a single bulb.

60 Top Gardening Tips For New Gardeners

Top gardening tips gardeners — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

My number one tip for new gardeners. Is to NEVER USE A Tiller until you have removed all the perennial weeds. New gardeners are usually told by well-meaning gardeners to use a Tiller to till the soil. This is a huge mistake as you will cut up perennial weeds making your issue a hundred times worse.

Reliable Vegetable Garden Cost According To You!

Much vegetable garden cost arranged for efficient crop rotation and productive seasonal vegetable growing

How much does a vegetable garden cost? It can vary greatly as no garden is identical, and also the resources required can vary on location, soil quality, preparation required, and what you wish to grow. But to answer this further, I asked 24 other gardeners to see what they spent when starting their vegetable gardens.

The Ultimate Guide to COVER CROPS

Ultimate guide crops covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

Cover crops are fast-growing plants that are grown to cover bare earth. They are not intended to be harvested and are grown for the improvement of soil quality. They have properties to help you build soil structure. Improving soil quality, water retention and nutrient density for the food you grow. They can save you money on fertilizer. And save you time on weeding as these crops will smoother all weeds preventing their growth. They will also help manage pests in the garden.

Gardening Jobs to Do in April

April gardening covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

Spring has sprung, and there’s growth all over your garden. All your hard work over the last three months will soon pay off — some of it already is. Keep on top of the chores to ensure a productive garden and avoid a snowball of work as growth increases. Consistent smaller steps make the journey … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in February

Gardening jobs february — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Gardening Jobs To Do in February We’re only in our second month of the year and have already accomplished so much. Temperatures remain relatively unchanged, but at least we’re edging closer toward the last frost date, the key indicator for outdoor planting. For those living in regions where the last frost date is around late … Read more

Gardening Jobs to Do in November

Gardening jobs november — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

As the weather gets colder and the days become shorter, it may be tempting to let your garden rest until spring. However, there are still many tasks, such as planting vibrant winter flowers, preparing your garden for next year’s seasons, and completing a general cleanup that you will appreciate later. Also, consider the wildlife that … Read more

Strong Winds? No Problem! Secure Your Polytunnel

Garden structure showing strong winds no problem secure polytunnel for season extension and frost protection

The fight to keep Polytunnels grounded in the face of storms is continuous – until it is solved. Here we explore how to keep your Polytunnel, with its low size-to-weight ratio, from being blown away by the powerful and often destructive force – wind. We take a brief look at the science behind it and then look at how to mitigate the risk factors.

Compost 101: How to Get it Right for Your Plants

Composting demonstrating composting techniques taught by Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Compost fosters bacteria that are used for breaking down organic matter. However, excessive amounts will cause it to be anaerobic. Applying too much compost to plants will cause them to be more prone to diseases, making it necessary to apply only one inch of compost per year on top of your plants.

5 Methods of Growing Mushrooms

Methods growing mushrooms covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

There are several methods to grow mushrooms. They can either be grown from Spawn, on Logs, in plastic bags with Straws, Spores or simply through ready-to-use mushroom growing kits.

The Ultimate Guide to Back to Eden Gardening

Ultimate guide back eden gardening covered in Tony O'Neill's Simplify Gardening at simplifygardening.com

Back to Eden, gardening is a natural method of growing vegetables, plants, and herbs in the way nature intended plants to grow, which is referred to as permaculture. It is the perfect way to start an organic garden because it requires little to no watering, no tilling, and no weeding. Additionally, this gardening method increases soil organic matter, reduces erosion, and sequesters carbon in the soil.

25 Best Landscaping Rocks for Creative Gardens

Best landscaping rocks creative gardens — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Our gardening and landscaping guide will explore different types of stones and landscaping ideas you can use for specific types. Remember, people began using rocks to decorate their homesteads and gardens at the beginning of time. Take your time and learn to integrate different types of landscaping rocks into your garden designs with ease.

20 Best DIY Planter Boxes You Can Make Now!

Best diy planter boxes you make now — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Based on people’s preferences and requirements, the best DIY planter box can be different for everyone. For instance, someone with little space may like the idea of a tiered planter box, while an older person may like a planter with built-in benches.

15 Shrubs to Grow in Shady Areas

Shrubs grow shady areas — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Your garden can still be colorful, even if it’s primarily shady. Many lovely plants will thrive in your garden under a giant shade tree or flower beds, hanging baskets, and containers.

9 Best Powered Wheelbarrows To Make Life Easier

Best powered wheelbarrows make life easier — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

These machines are convenient for construction, gardening, and restoration projects since they allow you to transport heavy things without stressing your back muscles. So, who wouldn’t want to make their lives easier with a motorized wheelbarrow?

How to Water Houseplants While Away on Vacation

Water houseplants while away vacation — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

Sometimes if you are a forgetful gardener, you might forget to have a watering schedule for your plants. This scenario remains worse if you are in the middle of packing and planning a holiday. Just like pets, your plants also rely on you for water, especially if they are indoors.

What Are Grow Bags? Pros and Cons Of Using Them

Pros cons using grow bags — practical growing guidance from Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

They are fabric bags that most people use to hold soil when gardening in limited spaces. They provide gardeners with an alternative to traditional containers that often occupy the largest space. With grow bags, you can maintain fresh soil for your plants to grow.

Soil Vs. Hydroponics? Which is BEST?

Soil hydroponics best — healthy soil foundation for vegetable growing at simplifygardening.com

Hydroponics is superior for gardeners. Hydroponics offers less daily maintenance, tighter control over nutrition, elimination of almost all sources of disease, more precise control over the use of water. Year-long growth cycles. The only drawback may be the initial investment costs.

Why Do Tomatoes Split on the Plant? (Effective Control)

Houseplant showing tomatoes split plant effective control — growing and care advice at simplifygardening.com

Tomatoes split on the plant due to fast, sudden growth. The flesh increases in size, and the skin cannot keep up. It happens when tomatoes are overwatered either manually or by a heavy downpour after being allowed to dry out. Prevent by ensuring the plants remain moist.

Do Fruit Trees Grow in Clay Soil? (It Depends)

Fruit trees grow clay soil — healthy soil foundation for vegetable growing at simplifygardening.com

Although most fruit trees will grow in clay soil. Stone or Pome fruit such as apple peach, cherry, pears, and nectarines have the best chances of thriving in clay soil. They require at least 3 feet of topsoil in order for good root growth. If clay soil is dense adjust it with gypsum and compost.

Should You Remove Old Mulch? Here’s the Deal.

Garden soil showing you remove old mulch heres deal — soil preparation guide at simplifygardening.com

Old mulch does not usually need to be removed and is often acceptable to leave undisturbed. It should be removed if it is infected with fungi or if the plants it surrounded were diseased. You’ll want to check the mulch to ensure it is effective and hasn’t matted itself down, choking off your plants’ access to air and water. 

Do Compost Bins Attract Rats? How to Prevent It!

Compost bins attract rats prevent demonstrating composting techniques taught by Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

The process within compost bins helps organic matter break naturally into elements that enrich the soil and encourage beneficial bacteria and fungi. This, in turn, produces an earthy smell that attracts rats and other rodents. One of the main ways to avoid having rat infestations is to refrain from putting food waste into your compost bins.

Prevent Leaf Mulch Blowing Away With These 5 Tips

Compost showing prevent leaf mulch blowing away tips — part of Tony O'Neill's Composting Masterclass at simplifygardening.com

Leaf mulch is a great tool for gardeners. It keeps the soil at a more consistent temperature, but it also improves soil fertility. One of the issues with leaf mulch is that it can blow away in windy conditions. The best way to prevent this from occurring is by using stalks and sticks to hold down the leaf mulch.

How To Control Allium Leaf Miner. Protect Your Plants!

Control allium leaf miner protect plants demonstrating composting techniques taught by Tony O'Neill at simplifygardening.com

How to control allium leaf miner? The only surefire way to control allium leaf miner is to cover the plants before they are affected. Enviromesh, insect mesh or even fleece can be used with great effect. Prevention is much better than cure. If crops do have allium leaf miner the safest bet is to burn and destroy the plant to prevent its spread.

Is Epsom Salt Good For Plants?

Epsom salt good plants — honest, systems-based gardening advice from simplifygardening.com

Is Epsom salt good for plants? Yes, Epsom salt is an ideal product to use for your plants. We all know Plants need Magnesium to be healthy and Epsom salt is made from Magnesium Sulfate and Sulfur. This is absorbed by the plant’s root system making them stronger and much more resistant to pests and diseases. It increases growth and produces larger vegetables and blooms.

The Best Way to Plant Potatoes? Sprout Them!

Best way plant potatoes sprout them grown using Tony O'Neill's potato growing methods at simplifygardening.com

Sprouting seed potatoes will cause them to be ready earlier in the season. It can also increase the size and weight of the harvest. But not all potatoes require to be sprouted. Early varieties, those with a short growing season are planted early and benefit from sprouting before putting in the soil. Later varieties don’t gain much growth due to the warm temperatures already present.